Question

Which of the following is not correctly matched with its uses ?

• A. Methanol : As a solvent for paints , varnishes etc.
• B. Ethanol : For denaturing spirit, in manufacture of formaldehyde.
• C. Ethers : To provide inert medium for chemical reactions , as anaesthetic.
• D. All are correctly matched.

Answer 1

The correct option is B Ethanol : For denaturing spirit, in manufacture of formaldehyde.

Uses of Methanol are:

1. As a fuel. Methanol burns in air to give carbon dioxide and water.

$2C{H}_{3}OH+3O_2\to 2C{O}_2+4H_{2}O$

2. As a useful fuel for stunt and racing cars as it is less inflammable and can be mixed with water.

3. It is also used as a solvent.

4. Manufacturing other chemicals such as formaldehyde.

5. Being a polar liquid at room temperature, it is used as antifreeze and a denaturant for ethanol.

Uses of Ethanol

1. The alcohol that we drink is simply ethanol.

2. It is also used as a fuel. It burns in air to give carbon dioxide and water and can be used in combination with gasoline (petrol).

$C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}OH+3O_2\to 2C{O}_2+3H_{2}O$

3. A mixture of petrol and ethanol is defined as gasohol with 10-20% ethanol.

4. Ethanol is one of the main ingredients in cosmetics and beauty products.

5. It is used as a food additive. Ethanol helps in evenly distributing food color. It also helps in enhancing the flavor of food extracts.

6. Ethanol is an effective agent that can kill microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Many hand sanitizers use this chemical compound.

Uses of Ether:

Ethers are liquid at room temperature and are typically colorless, with a sweet smell. The most common type of ether is diethyl ether, which is extremely flammable and was one of the first anesthetics used in surgery. Due to its anesthetic effects, ether is also used as an illicit drug to induce sedation and euphoria.